Abstract: A fluid system swivel joint includes a body and a tail rotatably connected together and which partially define a fluid passageway. The tail has an integrally formed flange for connecting to other fluid conduits. A counterbalancing mechanism is disposed within the fluid passageway. The counterbalancing mechanism has a selectively adjustable level of tension that adjusts the amount of force required to rotate the tail relative to the body. At least a portion of the counterbalancing mechanism can be selectively inserted into or removed from the fluid passageway through an opening in the body. The opening in the body can be closed off with an end plate. A swivel assembly rotatably connects the body to a fluid conduit so that the body can rotate relative to the fluid conduit. The swivel assembly includes a collar fixedly and selectively connectable to the body, and a flange body rotatably connected to the collar.

Abstract: A fluid system swivel joint includes a body and a tail rotatably connected together and which partially define a fluid passageway. The tail has an integrally formed flange for connecting to other fluid conduits. A counterbalancing mechanism is disposed within the fluid passageway. The counterbalancing mechanism has a selectively adjustable level of tension that adjusts the amount of force required to rotate the tail relative to the body. At least a portion of the counterbalancing mechanism can be selectively inserted into or removed from the fluid passageway through an opening in the body. The opening in the body can be closed off with an end plate. A swivel assembly rotatably connects the body to a fluid conduit so that the body can rotate relative to the fluid conduit. The swivel assembly includes a collar fixedly and selectively connectable to the body, and a flange body rotatably connected to the collar.

Abstract: A fluid system swivel joint includes a body and a tail rotatably connected together and which partially define a fluid passageway. The tail has an integrally formed flange for connecting to other fluid conduits. A counterbalancing mechanism is disposed within the fluid passageway. The counterbalancing mechanism has a selectively adjustable level of tension that adjusts the amount of force required to rotate the tail relative to the body. At least a portion of the counterbalancing mechanism can be selectively inserted into or removed from the fluid passageway through an opening in the body. The opening in the body can be closed off with an end plate. A swivel assembly rotatably connects the body to a fluid conduit so that the body can rotate relative to the fluid conduit. The swivel assembly includes a collar fixedly and selectively connectable to the body, and a flange body rotatably connected to the collar.

Abstract: A fluid handling swivel joint and fluid conveyance equipment incorporating the same includes a first flanged portion, a tail portion that form a conduit. The fluid handling swivel joint also includes a body secured to the first flanged portion and at least partially surrounding the tail portion, where the body and the tail portion form a raceway. The fluid handling swivel joint further includes a primary seal positioned between the first flanged portion and the tail portion, and a secondary seal positioned between the first flanged portion and the tail portion and radially outward of the primary seal. The fluid handling swivel joint also includes a first environmental seal and a second environmental seal positioned to contact two of the first flanged portion, the tail portion, and the body to form an isolated volume around the plurality of roller elements.

Abstract: A fluid system swivel joint includes a body and a tail rotatably connected together and which partially define a fluid passageway. The tail has an integrally formed flange for connecting to other fluid conduits. A counterbalancing mechanism is disposed within the fluid passageway. The counterbalancing mechanism has a selectively adjustable level of tension that adjusts the amount of force required to rotate the tail relative to the body. At least a portion of the counterbalancing mechanism can be selectively inserted into or removed from the fluid passageway through an opening in the body. The opening in the body can be closed off with an end plate. A swivel assembly rotatably connects the body to a fluid conduit so that the body can rotate relative to the fluid conduit. The swivel assembly includes a collar fixedly and selectively connectable to the body, and a flange body rotatably connected to the collar.

Abstract: A bottom loading coupler includes a coupler body and a plurality of interlocks. Each interlock is positioned in a slot in the body sidewall and pivotally coupled to the coupler body such that each interlock has an engaged position and a disengaged position with each interlock biased to the disengaged position. A coupler sleeve is slidably positioned around the coupler body and comprises a first, retracted position relative to the coupler body and a second, extended position relative to the coupler body. A biasing element is positioned between the coupler sleeve and the coupler body and biases the coupler sleeve to the second, extended position relative to the coupler body. The interlocks are in the disengaged position when the coupler sleeve is in the first, retracted position and in the engaged position when the coupler sleeve is in the second, extended position.

Abstract: A bottom loading coupler may include a coupler body and a plurality of interlocks. Each interlock may be positioned in a corresponding slot in the body sidewall and have an engaged position and a disengaged position with respect to the coupler body. A coupler sleeve formed from a first material may be slidably positioned around the body sidewall of the coupler body. A wear ring formed from a second material may be disposed on the inner circumference of the coupler sleeve. The wear ring and the coupler sleeve may form an interlock retaining seat. The coupler sleeve may have a first, retracted position relative to the coupler body, wherein the interlocks are biased to the disengaged position and retained in the interlock retaining seat. The coupler sleeve may also have a second, extended position relative to the coupler body, wherein the wear ring biases the interlocks to the engaged position.

Abstract: Coupler bodies with pivot rings for use in bottom loading couplers and bottom loading couplers comprising the same are disclosed. The coupler body for a bottom loading coupler may include a body sidewall having a fluid channel extending between an adapter end and a supply end. A plurality of slots may extend through the body sidewall of the coupler body. A pivot ring may extend substantially around the outer circumference of the coupler body. A plurality of interlocks may be positioned in corresponding slots in the body sidewall and pivotally engaged with the pivot ring. The interlocks are pivotable about the pivot ring between an engaged position and a disengaged position.

Abstract: Recock handle assemblies for bottom loading couplers and bottom loading couplers comprising the same are disclosed. The recock handle assemblies for bottom loading couplers may include a lever portion comprising a first lever arm, a second lever arm and a lever bar oriented in a substantially u-shaped configuration. A handle portion may be joined to the lever portion with a first pivot block and a second pivot block, the handle portion comprising a first connecting leg, a second connecting leg, and a bail. The first connecting leg and the second connecting leg may be positioned in a first plane and the bail is non-coplanar with the first plane. A first base plate may be pivotally coupled to the first pivot block. The first base plate may include a first body guide member and a first sleeve guide member. A second base plate may be pivotally coupled to the second pivot block, the second base plate comprising a second body guide member and a second sleeve guide member.

Abstract: A handle shaft assembly includes a tube spacer, a handle shaft, a stuff box, and an operational handle. The stuff box may be configured for insertion into a through-hole within a bottom loading coupler body and include first and second stuff box ends defining a cylindrical cavity. A first sealing member may be positioned on the first stuff box end, and a second sealing member positioned on the second stuff box end. The tube spacer may be configured to be positioned within a blind counterbore of the bottom loading coupler body. The handle shaft may include a first end positioned within the tube spacer configured to be positioned with a blind bore of the bottom loading coupler body, a linkage section configured to be coupled to a drive linkage of a poppet valve assembly, and a second end extending through the cylindrical cavity of the stuff box. The operational handle is mechanically coupled to the second end of the handle shaft.

Abstract: A fluid handling swivel joint and fluid conveyance equipment incorporating the same includes a first flanged portion, a tail portion that form a conduit. The fluid handling swivel joint also includes a body secured to the first flanged portion and at least partially surrounding the tail portion, where the body and the tail portion form a raceway. The fluid handling swivel joint further includes a primary seal positioned between the first flanged portion and the tail portion, and a secondary seal positioned between the first flanged portion and the tail portion and radially outward of the primary seal. The fluid handling swivel joint also includes a first environmental seal and a second environmental seal positioned two contact two of the first flanged portion, the tail portion, and the body to form an isolated volume around the plurality of roller elements.

Abstract: Coupler bodies with pivot rings for use in bottom loading couplers and bottom loading couplers comprising the same are disclosed. The coupler body for a bottom loading coupler may include a body sidewall having a fluid channel extending between an adapter end and a supply end. A plurality of slots may extend through the body sidewall of the coupler body. A pivot ring may extend substantially around the outer circumference of the coupler body. A plurality of interlocks may be positioned in corresponding slots in the body sidewall and pivotally engaged with the pivot ring. The interlocks are pivotable about the pivot ring between an engaged position and a disengaged position.

Abstract: A bottom loading coupler includes a coupler body and a plurality of interlocks. Each interlock is positioned in a slot in the body sidewall and pivotally coupled to the coupler body such that each interlock has an engaged position and a disengaged position with each interlock biased to the disengaged position. A coupler sleeve is slidably positioned around the coupler body and comprises a first, retracted position relative to the coupler body and a second, extended position relative to the coupler body. A biasing element is positioned between the coupler sleeve and the coupler body and biases the coupler sleeve to the second, extended position relative to the coupler body. The interlocks are in the disengaged position when the coupler sleeve is in the first, retracted position and in the engaged position when the coupler sleeve is in the second, extended position.

Abstract: Recock handle assemblies for bottom loading couplers and bottom loading couplers comprising the same are disclosed. The recock handle assemblies for bottom loading couplers may include a lever portion comprising a first lever arm, a second lever arm and a lever bar oriented in a substantially u-shaped configuration. A handle portion may be joined to the lever portion with a first pivot block and a second pivot block, the handle portion comprising a first connecting leg, a second connecting leg, and a bail. The first connecting leg and the second connecting leg may be positioned in a first plane and the bail is non-coplanar with the first plane. A first base plate may be pivotally coupled to the first pivot block. The first base plate may include a first body guide member and a first sleeve guide member. A second base plate may be pivotally coupled to the second pivot block, the second base plate comprising a second body guide member and a second sleeve guide member.

Abstract: A bottom loading coupler may include a coupler body and a plurality of interlocks. Each interlock may be positioned in a corresponding slot in the body sidewall and have an engaged position and a disengaged position with respect to the coupler body. A coupler sleeve formed from a first material may be slidably positioned around the body sidewall of the coupler body. A wear ring formed from a second material may be disposed on the inner circumference of the coupler sleeve. The wear ring and the coupler sleeve may form an interlock retaining seat. The coupler sleeve may have a first, retracted position relative to the coupler body, wherein the interlocks are biased to the disengaged position and retained in the interlock retaining seat. The coupler sleeve may also have a second, extended position relative to the coupler body, wherein the wear ring biases the interlocks to the engaged position.

Abstract: A handle shaft assembly includes a tube spacer, a handle shaft, a stuff box, and an operational handle. The stuff box may be configured for insertion into a through-hole within a bottom loading coupler body and include first and second stuff box ends defining a cylindrical cavity. A first sealing member may be positioned on the first stuff box end, and a second sealing member positioned on the second stuff box end. The tube spacer may be configured to be positioned within a blind counterbore of the bottom loading coupler body. The handle shaft may include a first end positioned within the tube spacer configured to be positioned with a blind bore of the bottom loading coupler body, a linkage section configured to be coupled to a drive linkage of a poppet valve assembly, and a second end extending through the cylindrical cavity of the stuff box. The operational handle is mechanically coupled to the second end of the handle shaft.

Abstract: A system and method for curing compositions on optical fibers. A UV curing cassette is provided with an elongate tube through which the optical fiber is drawn. A pair of medium pressure arc lamps are positioned on diametrically opposite sides of the tube and a pair of reflectors are positioned around the respective arc lamps. A stepless power supply is connected to the arc lamps to drive the lamps, thereby generating ultraviolet light. The arc lamps are selected and adjusted, if necessary, to produce a wavelength output that substantially correlates with at least one wavelength range of the absorbency spectrum of the photoinitiator in the composition to be cured. By this system and method, UV curable compositions may be cured to a high curing percentage at quick draw speeds to produce optical fibers of strong but flexible fiber quality.

Abstract: A light source such as a laser generates light of a specific wavelength which is transmitted through a bundle of fiber optic cables to project light onto a moving web having ink, dye or another coating including a photo initiator therein. The cables are arranged in a pattern to project a light onto the moving web and thereby expose the ink to the light to initiate photo polymerization of the ink on the moving web. Advantageously, the beam delivery system avoids the need for scanning of the laser light across the width of the web which in many applications minimizes the speed at which the web can be operated.